HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-05-22; 4-a - Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 5, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Medlin, 919-245-6139
Proclamation Kirby Saunders, 919-245-6123
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of April 10 through 16, 2022 as Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Every year across the nation, the second full week of April is dedicated to the
professional women and men who serve as public safety telecommunicators. First conceived by
Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (California) Sheriff's Office in 1981, this practice
was recognized by Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) in what became House
Joint Resolution 284 to create "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week". With the
continued efforts of the International Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and
the National Emergency Number Association, the act to recognize public safety
telecommunicators became a permanent proclamation in 1994.
Each day hundreds of Orange County residents and those passing through rely on the expertise
and dedication of public safety telecommunicators. These professionals help save countless lives
by responding to emergency calls, dispatching law enforcement, fire and emergency medical
personnel and equipment and providing support to the residents and visitors to the County. Their
skills in high- pressure situations allow rapid emergency response, aid and compassion in times
of great distress and critical decision-making within seconds.
Orange County Communications is the primary answering point for all emergency and
nonemergency service calls in the County. In 2021 NC PSAP's ( Public Safety Answering Points)
answered 7.5 million 9-1-1 calls. Orange County 9-1-1 Telecommunicators answered 86,806 9-
1-1 calls and handled 116,903 administrative calls. The telecommunicators dispatched over
180,000 calls for service with an average of six telecommunicators on duty. The communications
center operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a staff of twenty-six full time
telecommunicators.
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Orange County's telecommunicators continue to strive for excellence in performance and are
among the highest trained in the state.
Orange County's telecommunicators provide a valuable service to the residents, visitors and to
public safety providers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Through recognition and activities associated with Public Safety Telecommunications Week,
Orange County shows its appreciation for employees who help promote and maintain safety in
the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign it.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK
2022
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Thousands of dedicated Telecommunicators daily serve the residents of the
United States and Canada by answering their telephone calls for law enforcement, fire, and
emergency medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as
possible; and
WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators are the link between those residents who
call for help and the agencies which provide the help; and
WHEREAS, The critical functions performed by professional Telecommunicators impact
all aspects of public safety and include those performed by forestry and conservation
operations, highway safety and maintenance activities, and many other operations
performed by federal, state and local government agencies; and
WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators work to improve the emergency response
capabilities of these communication systems through their leadership and participation in
training programs and other activities provided by the Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials - International and the National Emergency Number
Association; and
WHEREAS, These associations are organizations of more than 100,000 people engaged
in the design, installation and operation of emergency response communications, and have
set aside the week beginning April 10, 2022, to recognize Telecommunicators and their
crucial role in the protection of life and property;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim
the week of April 10-16, 2022, as "Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Orange
County, North Carolina, in honor and recognition of our County's Telecommunicators and
the vital contributions they make to the safety and well being of our residents, those
passing through our County and our public safety providers.
Adopted this 5th day of April, 2022.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners